Interchangeable last.



P. H. HI CKMAN. INTERCHANGEABLE LAST- APPLICATION men em 30. M14.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

PATRICK H. HICKMAN, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB 0F ONE-HALF T0 THOMAS ALOYSIUS HICKMAN, OF-IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY.

INTERCHANGEABLE LAST.

Application filed December 30, 1914." serial No. 879,744. 8

To all whom it may concern V Be it known that I, PATRICK H. HICKfi MAN, a citizen of the United States, I'QSld-fl ing at Irvington, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interchangeable Lasts, of which the following'is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in lasts and more particularly to that class adapted for insertion within a boot, shoe, or the like.

The object of the invention is the provision of a last including a heel and a toe sec? tion movably connected and so constructed that the said heel and toe sections can be held against slight pressure in their extended position. I s

A further object of the invention is to improve and simplify devices of thischarv acter, rendering them comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and efiicient in use, and readily operated.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and part cularly pointed out in the appended clalms, 1t being understood that changes maybe made in the form, proportion, size and minor details without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through my improved last showing the same in its extended position with part of the toe section in elevation. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the-last in its contracted position. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of thelast. Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of the connecting plate removed. Fig. 5 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the spring. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the sleeve removed and, Fig. 8 is an end view thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by similar characters of reference throughout the several views, A denotes in general my improved last which consists of a heel section a and toe section b. The heel section a is formed with a socket 1 which is preferably reinforced by a sleeve 2 designed to receive any suitableform of support (not shown in the drawing). v

The sections a, 5 meet along a curved line 3 which permits of the sliding movement of the same relative to each other. The heel section a is limited in its upward movement relative to the toe section b by the contacting shoulders 4: and 5 formed upon the ad jacent portions of the sections a and I) respectively, while these said sections are fur ther limited in their movement in the opposite direction a lip 6 formed upon the lower edge of the sectiona for contacting with the adjacent curved surface 7 of the heel section a.

The sections a and b are formed respectively'with recesses 8 and 9 formed in the meeting edges thereof and disposed in registration with each other, the recess 9 being slightly larger than the recess 8 and provided with an offset extension forming a socket 10 for the reception of a slidable sleeve 11. This sleeve 11 is preferably of cylindrical formation being provided in its outer end with notches 12 for the reception of the extension 13 of a connecting plate 14. I This plate 14: is rigidly secured within the recess 8 by suitable fastening elements '15 and extends for swinging movement within the recess 9. The plate 14 is formed with curved slots 16 struck on an arc corresponding with the arc of the curved meeting edges 3 of the sections a, b. Fastening elements 17 are secured within the section b and extend transversely of the recess 9 through the above mentioned curved slots 16 providing a means for movably connecting the plate 14: within the recess 9 of the section 6 thus forming a means for movably connecting the heel and toe sections a and b.

The extension 13 of the plate 14 as above described extends .into the-notched end of the sleeve 11 and is adapted for movement through the slots 12 formed in the opposite sides thereof. A pivot member 17 passes through the opposite sides of the sleeve 11 and through the opening 18 .formed in the extension 13 thereby forming a means for movably connecting the extension 13 and sleeve 11 for permitting of a swinging movement of the plate 14 relative to the section b.

An inwardly directed annular flange 19 is formed within the sleeve 11 substantially intermediate the ends thereof forming a- I Specification of Letters Patent. I Patefited Jan. 16, 1917. i

stop for engagement with the ends ofa spring 20 which is disposed within the inner end of the said sleeve 11 being in contact with the flange 19 and inner end of the socket 10 thus yieldingly forcing the sleeve 11 outwardly with respect to the socket 10 and into the recess 9.

When the sections a, b are moved to the position shown in Fig. 1 thelast is in its extended position and the spring 10 forces the sleeve 11 outwardly exerting the pressure upon the upper edge of the plate 1% thereby maintaining the sections extended.

From the foregoing disclosures it will be readily seen that a last is provided which will fulfil all of the necessary requirements of such a device.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a last, a pair of movable sections, a plate fixed to one section and having a sliding connection with the other section and a spring actuated sleeve pivoted to said plate and exerting pressure at all times against the same for retaining said sections in their extended position.

2. In a last, a pair of movable sections, a plate fixed to one of said sections and having a sliding connection with the other section, an extension provided on said plate and a spring actuated sleeve carried by one section and pivotally connected to the extension, said sleeve embracing said extension and exerting pressure against the same at all times.

3. In a last, a pair of movable sections, said sections having recesses in the adjacent sides thereof, a plate rigidly connected within one recess and movably connected within the other recess, one of said recesses having a socket opening therein, a sleeve slidable Within said socket and pivotally connected to the plate, and a spring disposed within the socket and engaging the sleeve for yieldingly forcing the same in the direction of said plate for retaining the sections in extended position.

at. In a last such as described, a pair of movable sections, means for limiting the movement of said sections in opposite directions, said sections having recesses provided in the meeting edges thereof and disposed in registration, a plate disposed within said recesses and rigidly secured to one section and movably connected to the other section, an extension formed upon one edge of said plate, one of said sections having a socket formed therein opening into the adjacent recess, a sleeve arranged within said socket, a pivotal connection between said sleeve and the extension, an annular flange formed within said sleeve, and a spring disposed within the adjacent ends of the sleeve and socket and engaging the flange for yieldingly retaining the sections in their extended position.

5. In a last, a pair of movable sections, a plate fixed to one of the sections and having a sliding connection with the other section, said plate being provided with a reduced rounded extension, a sleeve pivotally connected to said extension and embracing the same and engaging the Plate, and a spring interposed between the last and the sleeve to hold the sleeve at all times in contact with the plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PATRICK H. I-IIOKMAN.

Witnesses:

EMrr A.,KERNY, HEs'rnR BENDER.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

